Germany says EU summit to discuss ‘realistic’ post-Gaza war scenario

BERLIN

The EU summit will discuss a “realistic” post-Gaza war scenario when the bloc’s leaders meet in Brussels on Thursday and Friday, a high-ranking German government official said.

“It is important that we obtain a political perspective for the Palestinians and create a realistic day-after scenario,” the official told journalists in Berlin on Wednesday.

The official said the EU could play “an important role” in the reconstruction of war-ravaged Gaza, not only in terms of financing but also organizing the massive rebuilding of the Israeli occupied enclave.

Israel has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip since the Oct. 7 Hamas incursion that claimed 1,200 lives. The military onslaught has turned the territory to ruins and led to conditions of famine.

The official also pointed to ongoing intense diplomatic talks on the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. “There are various proposals, but so far no agreement,” he said.

The issue of a hostage agreement is “very closely” linked with the topic of a longer cease-fire, the source said, adding: “The question is when will we get to the point of reaching a longer cease-fire."

Earlier in the day, Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for a longer-lasting cease-fire in Gaza, saying there is an urgent need to deliver more humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians.

"What must now be achieved as quickly as possible is a somewhat longer cease-fire,” Scholz told lawmakers, adding that this could enable the delivery of humanitarian aid and release of hostages held by Hamas.

The chancellor said he is optimistic about the ongoing cease-fire talks, and noted that Germany is also trying to contribute to a positive outcome here, by its diplomatic engagements.

“I don’t want to give false hope here, but I have the impression that it's more realistic at the moment than it has been for a long time,” he added.